Woodworking machine and the like provided with adjustable work guides



July 31, 1951 Filed July 8, 1948 \N. L. VAN DAM ET AL WOODWORKING MACHINE AND THE LIKE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE WORK GUIDES 2 Sheets-Sheet l I w L. VAN DAM ET AL 2,562,246 WOODWORKING MACHINE AND THE LIKE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE WORK GUIDES July 31, 195i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1948 Patented July 31, 1951 W OODWORKING -MACHINE AND THE LIKE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE i-WORK' .--GUIDES Walter L. Van Dam and Miehael J. ,.Karr, Kala- .,mazo,o, iMich., assignors to Atlas Press Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application-11113718, 8,;SerialjNo. emu

invention relates to improvements in wuodworking machinesiand the likeprovided with adjustable work-guides. fThe-m-ain Objects of this invention are:

-' First, to provide a machineof the type com prising a tool and work supporting table with a work gguide 'which may be 'quickly adjusted to approximate position and .then accurately adiusted to :the desiredgposition.

:Second, to provide a,machin e having these advantages in which .the work guide is very easily and accuratelymanipulated to the-desired position.;and :then clamped or unmovably secured. in that position and at the same time maybe quickly released.

to provide .a machine of theclassdescribed comprising a table with an adjustable workguide bar which may bemanually adjusted to approximateposition-and further adjusted by meanstoi rack and pinion to provide accuratem vernier adjustment-orpositionin :Further objects in which:

.Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan viewofa struc- .ture embodyin our invention. 7

l'Eig42 :is an enlarged-vertical transverse section efithe guide bar of our inventionpn a linecorresponding to line 2--2 inFigs. 1 and.5.

;Eig. v3 is anenlarged fragmentary view mainly inlsection-on line ,3-.3 of Figs..2 and5.

- Eight is anenlargedgfragmentary view mainly invertical section on. a line corresponding to line lm l of Fi s. -1 and r2.

Fig.5 is-an inverted fragmentary viewof the guide bar, parts :being sectioned to illustrate structural-details.

lllxthfi embodiment l of our invention illustrated 'inthe accompanying drawing, 1 represents the table 101' :hed of the machine, and T2,;a saw. The tablet! .isprovided wi h e nding flangeslor re inforci-ngmembers a-atitsfront and-rear edges. The euter facesA-oi these iiangesare parallel.

in gauge Joar .5 is, secured .to the front flange of ltheltable bylmeansof-boltsfi. The frontlflange-is provided Withe rib "l-iwhich serves to space the upper part of the bar from the table. The gauge bar is provided with an indicia member 8 prefstably, asillustrated, lformedofsheet metal and having an arm 9 provided with :scaleindicia s-is hcst-rshownin ,1, and-an arm .Ill secured to the hottom edge'of the gauge bar. .The upper edge all of.the gaugegbar is below the [top surface ,LZ-ofthetabIe. .7 I l 1 Th workguidebar-Qr fencezlaisprovided with a press Lhead ,l-A at its front end, the :crjoss head inithe embodiment illustrated b ing formed separatel y from the .bar proper and being secured "to thefront end thereof by means of the screwsili. This cross head is provided with tableengaging clamp blocks 16 suitably positioned or spaced on the cross head by means of the shims I1, the blocks being hardened stock andsecured as by means of the screws =I8.

A table clamping member or jaw l9 ispivotally mounted at 20 on the rear-end of the guide .bar and normally urged to releasediposition by means of the spring v2| seated in pockets 22 and 23in the clamping .jaw and guide bar respectively. To actuate the. clamping jaw .l 9 toengaged position, we provide alever 24 pivoted at 25 inalrecess 26 at the frontendlof ,theguidebar. .This lever is provided with'a cam nose L21 which.c o-. acts with the front .end of the thrust rod ,..2;B. This thrust rod is arranged in achannellfi pro-.- vided therefor in the topof the guide Joar, bearings 30 and 3| being providedat theends ,of the channel to slidably support'and retain'the thrust rod.

An adjustable abu'tment 32 is providedlon the clampingmember 49 to receive the thrust of the thrust rod. This is in the form of ascrew provided witha lock nut '33 which permits the ladjustment so that when the lever 24 is actuated, the clamping member [.9 is forced against the rear edge of the table clamping the blocks 1'6 against the front edge of the table, thereby securing the fence or guide barin its adjusted position. It will be noted that the cam 2.1 on the lever is so-shaped andpositioned that when the lever is in its actuated position, ,as shown ,by dotted lines in Fig. 4, the lever is, in effect, locked although it may be quickly andeasily released.

When the table clamping jawsare in released position the guide bar or fence may be quickly and ,slidably adjusted cover the table. As the guide memberorlfe'nce isdesirably formed as? casting of relatively soft light ,metal, We -provide a wear-shoe 34 for the rear end of the guide bar, as is shown in Fig. A. The guide bar mayibe lifted oil the table if desired. The cross headlis provided with a pointer 35 coasting with the scale indiciaiofvthe gauge bar.

To provide accurate or vernier adjustment after theguide bar has been adjusted to approximate position, We provide aclutch member-designated generally by the numeral 36. The cross head is chambered on its under side to .receive this and .other cooperating parts. The clutch member and guide bar are connected to permit relative adjusting movement. In the embodi- ,ment illustrated therack member 31 is in th-e form of a rod having a circular rack portion 38, the rack member being supported or restrained against longitudinal movement at one end by the lug 39 and at the other end by the stud 4!! disposed through the frame and secured by means of the screw 44. The rack rod 31 is vertically supported from the cross head by being passed through holes provided therefore in the ends of the clutch member 36.

The clutch member 36 is provided with longitudinal slots 42, through which are passed the bolts 43 having retaining nuts 44, the slots being substantially wider than the bolts, the nut overlapping the clutch member so as to permit relative movement of the clutch member and guide bar. The clutch member is provided with a jaw 45 which is slidably supported between the cross head and the clutch member to overhang the gauge bar, as is shown in Fig. 4, and coact therewith. A spring 45 urges the clutch jaw to disengaged position. To engage the jaw, we provide a lever 41 which pivots on the toothed portion 38 of the rack. This lever is provided with a nose 48 which engages the lug 49 at the outer end of the clutch jaw so that when the lever is moved downwardly to dotted position shown in Fig. 4, the clutch member is engaged with the gauge bar and held against movement relative thereto. The reaction force to the clamping engagement of the nose 48 against the lug 49 is taken by the engagement between the rod 3'! and the clutch member 36 or by direct engagement between the inner end of the lever 41 and a depending portion of the clutch member 36. The guide bar, however, may be moved relative to the clutch member. This is accomplished by means of the pinion 50 on the shaft I, which is disposed longitudinally through the lever and provided with a hand piece 52 which also constitutes a handle for the lever 41. The lever is disposed in a vertical slot 53 in the clutch member.

With its parts thus arranged, the guide bar is fully removable from the table. It may be quickly adjusted to approximate position or placed in approximate position if it has been removed from the table. After the guide bar has been placed in or adjusted to approximate position it may be accurately adjusted by swinging or actuating the lever 41 to clutch jaw engaging position as indicated by dotted lines, and the grip 52 rotated to provide the accurate or Vernier adjustment.

vAfter the guide bar is accurately positioned, the clamping lever is actuated to secure it in its adjusted position.

We have illustrated and described a highly practical embodiment of our invention. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe other modifications or adaptations which we contemplate as we believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our invention as may be desired. Y

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table provided with front and rear parallel edges, a gauge bar provided with gauge indicia mounted at the front of the table parallel to the edge thereof with its upper edge below the plane of the top of the table, a guide bar slidably supported for adjustment over said table and provided with a cross head at its front end .having rearwardly facing table clamping members spaced laterally relative to said guide bar, the cross head being provided with a pointer coacting with the gauge indicia of said gauge bar, a rack mounted on the under side of said cross head in transverse relation to said guide bar, a clutch member mounted on the under side of said cross head and transversely engageable with said gauge bar, the connection between said clutch member and cross head permittin limited relative longitudinal and lateral movement, a clutch jaw slidably mounted on aid clutch member to coact with said gauge bar on the opposite side thereof from said clutch member, a spring acting to urge said clutch jaw to disengaged position, a lever pivotally mounted on said rack and operatively connected between said clutch member and said jaw member for actuating said clutch jaw to engaged position, a spindle disposed longitudinally of said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a hand piece, a table clamping jaw pivotally mounted at the rear end of said guide bar and provided with a retracting spring, a clamping jaw actuating lever pivotally mounted at the front end of said guide bar, a thrust rod disposed longitudinally of said guide bar and operatively associated with said clamping lever and said clamping jaw whereby on actuation of said clamping lever the clamping jaw is actuated to clampingly engage the rear edge of the table and clamp the said table clamping members of said cross head upon the front edge of the table and thereby secure the guide bar in its adjusted position, said clamping jaw being provided with an adjustable abutment for said thrust rod. g 5

2. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table having front and rear parallel edges, a gauge bar provided with gaugeindicia mounted at the front of the table parallel to the edge thereof with its upper edge below the plane of the top of the table, a guide bar slid ably supported for adjustment over said'table and provided with a cross head at its front end, the cross head being provided with a pointer coacting with the gauge indicia of said gauge bar, a rack mounted on the under side of said cross head in transverse relation to said guide bar, a clutch member mounted on the under side of said cross head and transversely engageable with said gauge bar, the connection between said clutch member and cross head permitting relative longitudinal and lateral movement, a clutch jaw slidably mounted on said clutch member to coact with said gauge bar on the opposite side thereof from said clutch member, a spring acting to urge said clutch jaw to disengaged position; a lever pivotally mounted on said rack and operatively connected between said clutch member and said jaw member for actuating said clutch jaw to engaged position and constituting a handle means facilitating the adjustment of said guide bar on the table when said clutch jaw is in disengaged position, a spindle disposed longitudinal- 1y of said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a hand piece constituting a handle for said lever, and means for clamping said guide bar to said table independently of said gauge bar and the clutch means coacting therewith.

3. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a gauge bar provided with gauge indicia mounted at the front of the table, a guide bar slidably supported for adjustment over said table and provided with a cross head at-its front end having rearwardly facing tableclamp. members spaced laterally relative to said guide cross head beingprovided with a pointer coacting -with the gauge indicia of said gauge bar, a rack mounted on the under side of said cross-"head in transverse relation to said guide bar'fa clutch member mounted on theunderside offsaid cross head; the connection between said clutch memberand cross head permitting limited relative longitudinal and lateral movement, a clutch jaw mounted on said clutch member to tease with said gauge bar," a lever for actuating said clutch jaw to engaged position, a spindle disposedjlongi-tudinally of said lever and provided witlr a, pinion coacting with said rack and with ahand piece constitutinga handle for said lever, a: "table clamping jaw pivo-tally mounted at the end of said guide bar, a thrust rod disposed lbng-itudinal'ly' of said" guide bar and operatively associated with said clamping-jaw, and a clampinglev'er. oncsaid guide bar coacting with said rod wherebyon actuation ofsaid clamping lever the table clamping jaw is actuated, to clampingly engage the rear edge of the table and clamp the said tatile clam-p members of said cross head upon the front edge of the table and thereby secure the guide bar in itsadjusted position.

4. In a. machine of the classdescribed the .combination with a table, a gaujgebar provided with gauge indicia mounted at'the 'front of the table, alighide bar slidably supported for adjustment over said table and provided with a cross head at itsfront end, the cross head being provided with a pointer coacting with the gauge indicia of said gauge bar, a rack mounted on the under side of said cross head in transverse relation to said guide bar, a clutch member mounted on the under side of said cross head, the connection between said clutch member and cross head permitting limited relative longitudinal and lateral moveinent, a clutch jaw mounted on said clutch member to coact with said gauge bar, a lever for actuating said clutch jaw to engaged position, a spindle disposed longitudinally of said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a hand piece constituting a handle for said lever whereby the guide bar may be quickly adjusted to approximately the desired position and said clutch jaw engaged and the guide bar further adjusted through said rack and pinion, and means for clamping said guide bar to said table.

5. In a machine of the class described the combination with a, table, a gauge bar provided with gauge indicia mounted at the front of the table, a guide bar adjustable on said table and provided with a cross head at its front end, a rack mounted on the under side of said cross head in transverse relation to said guide ban-a clutch member relatively transversely movably mounted on said cross head and provided with a clutch jaw 00- acting with said gauge bar, an actuating lever for said clutch jaw, a manually operable spindle disposed longitudinally of said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack, and table clamping jaws on said guide bar.

6. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a gauge bar at the front edge of the table, a guide bar slidable over said table, a rack mounted on said guide bar at its front end in parallel relation to the said gauge bar, a clutch member relatively transversely movably mounted on said guide bar and provided with a clutch jaw clutchingly engageable with said gauge bar, a lever for actuating said clutch jaw, said lever constituting a handle for facilitating quick adjustment of the guide bar relative to the table, a spindle disposed longitudinally of the saidlever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a hand-piececonstitutinga grip for the lever --whereb-y the guide bar may be quicklyadjusted to approximate position and said clutch jaw engaged and the guide bar fur ther adjusted through said rack and pinion, a table clamping jaw disposed at the rear of the guide bar, said guide "bar being provided with a fixedly mounted table clamping member at its front end, said table clamping jaw when actuated acting to clampingly engage the table and to -en-'- gage the front table clamping member therewith, and means for actuating said table -clam pihg -j-aw" and holding it in its clamped position until it is manuallyreleased.

'7. In a machineof the-class described the com bination with a table, a clamp bar at the front edge of the table, a guide bar slidable over said table, a rack mounted on said guide bar at itsfront end in parallel relation to the said clampbar, a clutch member relatively'transversely movably mounted on said "guide bar and provided with a clutch jaw-clutchingly engageable with said clamp bar, a lever for actuating said-clutch jaw, a spindle disposed longitudinally-of the said lever and provided with a pin-ion coacting with said rack and with a hand piece constituting a grip forthe lever whereby the guide bar may be quickly adjusted to approximate position and saidclutch jaw en aged and the guide bariurther adjusted through saidrac'k and pinion, a table clamping jaw disposed at the rear of the guide bar, said guide bar being provided with a fixedly mounted table clamping member at its front end, said table clamping jaw when actuated acting to clampingly engage the table and to engage the front table clamping member therewith, and means for actuating said table clamping jaw and holding it in its clamped position until it is manually released.

8. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a clamp bar at the front edge of the table, a guide bar slidable over said table, a rack mounted on said guide bar at its front end in parallel relation to the said clamp bar, a clutch member relatively transversely movably mounted on said guide bar and provided with a clutch jaw clutchingly engageable with said clamp bar, a lever for actuating said clutch jaw, said lever constituting a handle for facilitating quick adjustment of the guide bar relative to the table, a spindle disposed longitudinally of the said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a rotatable hand piece constituting a grip for the lever whereby the guide bar may be quickly adjusted to approximate position and said clutch jaw engaged and the guide bar further adjusted through said rack and pinion, and means independent of said adjusting means for securing the guide bar in its adjusted position.

9. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a clamp bar at the front edge of the table, a guide bar slidable over said table, a rack mounted on said guide bar at its front end in parallel relation to the said clamp bar, a clutch member relatively transversely movably mounted on said guide bar and provided with a clutch jaw clutchingly engageable with said clamp bar, a lever for actuating said clutch jaw, a spindle disposed longitudinally of the said lever and provided with a pinion coacting with said rack and with a rotatable hand piece constituting a grip for the lever whereby the guide bar may be quickly adjusted to approximate posi- 7 tion and said clutch jaw engaged and the guide bar further adjusted through said rack and pinion, and means independent of said adjusting means for securing the guide bar in its adjusted position.

10. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a gauge bar mounted at the front of the table and provided with gauge indicia, a guide bar slidably adjustable on the table and provided with manually actuated table clamping means coacting with the front and rear edges of the table, a clutch member mounted on said guide bar and having a clutch jaw coacting with said gauge bar, said guide bar being adjustably associated with said clutch member and being provided with a rack, a clutch jaw actuating lever constituting a handle facilitating the quick adjustment of said guide bar on said table, and a pinion coacting with said rack and provided with a spindle, said spindle and lever having a common hand piece.

11. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table, a gauge bar mounted at the front of the table and provided with gauge indicia, a guide bar slidably adjustable on the table, a clutch member mounted on said guide bar and having a clutch jaw coacting with said gauge bar, said guide bar being adjustably associated with said clutch member and being provided with a rack, a clutch jaw actuating lever constituting a handle facilitating the quick adjustment of said guide bar on said table, and a pinion coacting with said rack and provided-with a spindle, said spindle and lever having a common hand piece.

12. In a machine of the class described the combination with a table having gauge indicia operatively associated therewith, a guide bar ad-. justable on the table and provided with means for securing it in its adjusted position on the table, a clutch member selectively and clutchingly engageable with said table and with which said guide bar is laterally adjustably associated, a clutch member actuating lever constituting a handle facilitating quick adjustment of the guide bar on the table, and coacting rack and pinion means carried by said guide bar and said lever respectively for adjusting the guide bar relative to said clutch member when the clutch-member is in engaged position.

WALTER L. VAN DAM.

IVHCHAEL J. KARE.

REFERENCES CITED Biro Apr. 21, 1942 

